The rate of delignification of resin extracted spruce wood-meal has been determined in calcium-base sulphite liquor at temperatures from 130 °C. down to 50 °C. No break was found in the temperature coefficient curve at the lower temperatures, the reaction following the Arrhenius equation closely. Possible mechanisms of the reaction are discussed in the light of existing theories, and the effect of temperature on the yield of pulp is pointed out for its practical interest.